Yanks' Rivera gives health a 9; mum on future

February 13, 2013|The Sports Xchange

Mariano Rivera believes his comback from a torn ACL is just about complete.

The Yankees' 43-year-old closer plans to be ready for Opening Day, recovered fully from a torn ligament in his right knee. The injury occured in batting practice May 3 at Kansas City when Rivera was shagging fly balls in the outfield. He had surgery in June.

Rivera threw 25 pitches in the bullpen with no complications. He said he'd rate his knee and overall health at a 9 out of 10, and anticipates getting to full strength by April.

Still, he wasn't ready to make a declaration about his baseball future beyond 2013, but did confess at the team's workout Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., that he knows which direction he's leaning.

"I will tell you guys when I think it's the right moment," said Rivera.